Wednesday, May 05, 2010

The Oil Pumps On

I'm heading up to Downeast soon. I can't wait. A birthday treat for me- a week alone, then my family will join me for lobsters, steamers and beautiful ocean views.

I keep reading about the oil spill in the Gulf. Eventually, there will be impact all over the world from this spill- it is simply too large and the ocean too connected.

What will happen to the ecosystem up there? Will there be more pressure to fish more aggressively there, as so much of the Gulf will be shut down?

When sitting on the porch, judging the next time the tide will be low enough to pull off some mussels, I hope I take that extra moment to be thankful. The water there is icy cold, pristine. There are no jelly fish, or sea lice jumping at the sandy shores.

Cold and clear.

Oil is still pumping into the Gulf. They have made progress but it is not done. We are all watching the news, focused on a man with a poorly made bomb.

And the oil pumps on.

Twenty years after the Exxon Valdez, there is still damage from the 11 million gallons of oil. Twenty years.

That was 11 million gallons. In shallow waters. "The Coast Guard and BP have said it's nearly impossible to know exactly how much oil has gushed since the blast, though it has been roughly estimated to be at least 200,000 gallons a day."

It's still gushing.

Sure, I'm concerned about terrorism. But when I think about what happened in Alaska, and what still exists, realizing the devastating effects of this current spill... I have to wonder.

I wonder where all those chicken shit politicians that twisted arms to get offshore drilling approved are right now and hope that their election opponents are ready to use this when it comes time to cast votes.

I wonder what all the "green" investors who spoke so highly of BP are saying now?

It occurs to me, we had the chance to see some of those reefs, in Key West, just before the spill. The water was so clear, you didn't even need to jump in to snorkel to see the fish. I'm afraid it may not ever exist in the same way again in my lifetime.

This time, when I go to Downeast, I will take in all the beauty around me. Watch the eagles and the seals a little more closely. Savor the mussels, lobster and steamers.

The choice doesn't need to be between no car and driving everywhere. We can ride our bicycles a lot more on shorter trips, shop locally and buy all heavy and bulky items in one go, car pool more etc. As Bill Maher said: If you drive alone, you drive with Bin Laden. It's true.

Baltimore, where I live, is trying to institute bike-friendly improvements in the city, and you should hear the complaints from drivers! It never ceases to amaze me how many people will argue that because of one bicyclist they observed doing something dangerous last year, all bicycles should be banned from roads.

Because, you know, all those cars -- the ones who cut you off, change lanes without signaling, speed, and are general hazards on the road -- that's different!

I have bicycled in Europe and people expect and respect bicyclists. Not here. I sure hope that changes....

It could and it should. Mr. Obama and the first lady seem very interested in physical fitness. You ought to suggest that safe cycling routes are a great way to get people moving AND reduce the dependency on oil. Not to mention that it's cheap.